Vocation Questions in relation to the Eastern Catholic Churches

[John_of_Patmos]

Unbelievable!
hdbfm.com

 

[Pfaffenhoffen]

Yes, when one enters the novitiate they are officially of the Order, it is that way with all religious communities.

But some aspects of being in the Order do not come until after solemn vows.

Besides being ordained a priest a making the 4th vow, which not all do, which

aspects of being in the Order do not come until after solemn vows.

??

 

[ag_vn]

PS
ByzCath-thanks alot! you helped me clear something up! I guess moreso, I want to be a Roman Catholic Priest w/ biritual faculties. Any suggestions on orders? It takes too long to become a Jesuit!

There are Augustinians of the Assumption, Resurrectionists, Salesians and Discalced Carmelites in the Bulgarian Byzantine Catholic Church. Almost all of them are foreigners (I mean not Bulgarians) and I think all are bi-ritual priests.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

But some aspects of being in the Order do not come until after solemn vows.

??

One does not receive active or passive voice until one is in solemn vows.

That is one is not allowed to vote in chapters (active voice) nor are they allowed to hold offices within the Order (passive voice) until after they have made their solemn vows.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Just curious, but are Eastern Catholic Churches open to secular clergy? Like those with daytime jobs? I’ve read about Orthodox priests being IT guys and such, but haven’t encountered anyone Catholic in such a situation. I know with the growing of the “Permanent Deacon” program in many RC diocese, there will be plenty of deacons who are secular. Just wondering if in the ECs this is an option.

 

[I_Thirst]

Just curious, but are Eastern Catholic Churches open to secular clergy? Like those with daytime jobs? I’ve read about Orthodox priests being IT guys and such, but haven’t encountered anyone Catholic in such a situation. I know with the growing of the “Permanent Deacon” program in many RC diocese, there will be plenty of deacons who are secular. Just wondering if in the ECs this is an option.

I’m pretty sure that the deacon in my UGCC has a daytime job.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I’m pretty sure that the deacon in my UGCC has a daytime job.

And might I extend, by daytime job I mean non-religious related. I know priests, deacons and subdeacons who have doctorates and teach in religious schools. But not someone who does something not related to the faith (IT, banking, business, etc.)

 

[I_Thirst]

And might I extend, by daytime job I mean non-religious related. I know priests, deacons and subdeacons who have doctorates and teach in religious schools. But not someone who does something not related to the faith (IT, banking, business, etc.)

I think it’s a non-religious one.

 

[ConstantineTG]

I think it’s a non-religious one.

Okay, where do I sign up?

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

All the deacons I know, unless they are actually employed by the parish as a parish administrator, have a job that is non-religious in nature due to the fact that a deacon is not paid, or given a very small stipend, to work at the Liturgy on Sundays.

The only outside jobs, that is outside of the parish, priests have, that I am aware of, are teaching in a religious institution (though this may be a grade school rather than a secondary school).

 

[ConstantineTG]

All the deacons I know, unless they are actually employed by the parish as a parish administrator, have a job that is non-religious in nature due to the fact that a deacon is not paid, or given a very small stipend, to work at the Liturgy on Sundays.

The only outside jobs, that is outside of the parish, priests have, that I am aware of, are teaching in a religious institution (though this may be a grade school rather than a secondary school).

Thanks. I did find that some of the subdeacons I know have theology degrees and do teach in religious colleges and universities. Which makes me think if the interest is to only have clergy who are religiously inclined (living a life associated with the faith) and not much on those who are spiritually inclined in the faith but live a much more secular life.

 

[John_of_Patmos]

I wish i hadn’t made the Jesuit comment! Oh well. I have been thinking about it alot and am open to the idea of becoming an Eastern Catholic. I think it is just a different way of viewing Catholic doctrine, correct? I also read that one can only change rites once in their life. What about Churches? Could I join my local Ruthenian Parish, and eventually become a priest of the Italo-Greek Catholic Church?
Thanks!

 

[ConstantineTG]

I wish i hadn’t made the Jesuit comment! Oh well. I have been thinking about it alot and am open to the idea of becoming an Eastern Catholic. I think it is just a different way of viewing Catholic doctrine, correct? I also read that one can only change rites once in their life. What about Churches? Could I join my local Ruthenian Parish, and eventually become a priest of the Italo-Greek Catholic Church?
Thanks!

There are Byzantine Jesuit priests

As for changing Churches, normally you would change into a Church where you either married into, or where you have frequented. I do not think the Bishop of said Church would accept you if you haven’t been practicing the faith in their tradition. So if you are going to a Ruthenian Church, you can only switch to the Ruthenian Rite. Basically, the priest would have to write a letter recommending you to switch, which you submit with your own letter of request to your bishop (unless you bishop knows you personally, like in my case) and then the RC bishop as well. So you can’t choose Italo-Albanian if you’ve never been in one of their parishes, much less if you do not know any of their clergy. Unless of course you happen to marry one even though the wedding was at an RC parish.

 

[John_of_Patmos]

So, the rites between the Romanian Catholic Church and the Ruthenian Catholic Church, and the Italo-Albanian/Italo-Greek Catholic Church are all different?

Vocation wise:

Romanian: hrmonline.org/

Italo-Greek: abbaziagreca.it/en/ (I like these guys better)

I do know a Hieromonk at the Italo- Greek Monastery, who said he grew up in the Roman Rite. I want to be a hieromonk…

 

[ConstantineTG]

So, the rites between the Romanian Catholic Church and the Ruthenian Catholic Church, and the Italo-Albanian/Italo-Greek Catholic Church are all different?

Vocation wise:

Romanian: hrmonline.org/

Italo-Greek: abbaziagreca.it/en/ (I like these guys better)

I do know a Hieromonk at the Italo- Greek Monastery, who said he grew up in the Roman Rite. I want to be a hieromonk…

Its the same Rite, but each sui juris Church has its own minor traditions. And like I said, to canonically transfer to a Church, someone from the Church should approve you of transfer. So if you are not going to an Italo-Albanian one and just want to transfer there for whatever reasons, there’s a huge chance your request to transfer will be denied.

 

[John_of_Patmos]

Could I just go to the local Ruthenian Church? I thought I read that this is looked down upon…
I guess I just have to wait to discern my vocation, as far as joining a different rite goes.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Could I just go to the local Ruthenian Church? I thought I read that this is looked down upon…
I guess I just have to wait to discern my vocation, as far as joining a different rite goes.

Again, you do not join a rite. No one belongs to a rite. Churches belong to a rite. You join a Church.

It is not “looked down upon”, you may attend any Catholic Church you wish as a Catholic.

As for transferring to another Church and following a vocation in it you must be aware that this will be a very long process.

First make sure that you have your undergraduate degree with all the necessary requirements for entry into a major seminary. Then you’ must attend a parish of the Church you wish to join for a time, usually 2 to 5 years. Then you work with your pastor to apply to that Church’s bishop to accept your transfer and to your current Church’s bishop to release you for the transfer. Then the bishop may require you to wait even more time before accepting you as a candidate for the priesthood, or he may accept you after the transfer is completed. Then the major seminary takes 4 years of study and some eparchies have an additional pastoral year before ordination.

You could not enter into a religious community until after the transfer as there are canonical consideration of Church membership.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Could I just go to the local Ruthenian Church? I thought I read that this is looked down upon…
I guess I just have to wait to discern my vocation, as far as joining a different rite goes.

Bro. David gave a good, detailed answer. As far as just going to one, there is no impediments for any Catholic to attend another Church sui juris of any Rite that belongs in the “Catholic Communion” (to give it a term).

Changing Church enrollment to seek ordination is often frowned upon unless you are already a part of the community for a long time. There have been many cases of people being regular members of another ritual Church but remaining canonical members of their original Church. Then when they receive their calling, the bishop usually accepts their transfer and eventual ordination. What is frowned upon is when one shows up day one in another sui juris Church and says they want to seek ordination in that Church.

 

[John_of_Patmos]

Awesome. Should I attend the local Ruthenian Church along with my RC Parish until I discern my vocation?
I intend to go to a DL over my Christmas vacation. Know any Ruthenian Monasteries in the US or Russia are?
PS happy Advent

Pss: When is Christmas for Byzantine catholics?

 

[ConstantineTG]

Awesome. Should I attend the local Ruthenian Church along with my RC Parish until I discern my vocation?
I intend to go to a DL over my Christmas vacation. Know any Ruthenian Monasteries in the US or Russia are?
PS happy Advent

Pss: When is Christmas for Byzantine catholics?

Christmas is always December 25. Depends on which calendar you are looking at though if December 25 in your Church calendar is the same day as December 25 on the Gregorian Calendar.